^ ^ ^ Both great platforms but... IMHO 'issues' for both models. Handling... Ask around about understeer first. According to SupaBlue (who owned both) there was no contest... The Evo won hands down. Same thing for steering, brakes, engine reliability & the cost of spare parts.

But IMHO the main issue these days is chassis corrosion... for both models. These cars are 17-20 years old now.If you intend to do a full rotisserie restoration then go for it... but both are so old now that IMHO I would buy an Evo 8... and then still do a rotisserie restoration to protect my investment. E8 parts will be easier to get too (USA).

Yeah, you can change the block alone, or do a whole head and block if you get it. What most ppl do is get a block or head and block, forge it out and swap it out when they ready (keep it put down until your current engine gone through or you get a sale or want more power). If you keep the 4 engine stock and take your time and drive, it could last you a long time, but then again, thats not why you buy an Evo.And Evo 456 gearbox and t case is completely swappable, 789 is where it's a little different. Same block from 5-8, 9 has the mivec oil ports